Wetzler Clamps

[NYHump]

Hi All, Not sure if I'm in the correct place but I'm sure someone will let me know. Here's my question, I just came across a bunch of Wetzler clamps and I bought them. There are 33 clamps total from 212s to 718s They are good shape, some rust and some glue, but the handles are great! no cracks and the red is still red. I plan on using them in my shop (garage) and wanted to know, should I take these down and get them sand blasted and then paint them, kind of restore them to original or would they lose value. Yes, I'm a tool junkie! I know these clamps are worth money to some out there, but I am going to use them and who ever gets them when my feet don't hit the ground anymore to be able to get some money for them. Thanks nyhump

[Byrdie]

I'd enjoy them as is.  I prefer my tools to be tools and art to be art.

[wdwerker]

Clean them up to improve the function. If you are obsessed fully restore a couple of them, but otherwise they are still only valuable as functioning clamps. I have a bunch of Jorgenson I beam clamps but I would not waste any time repainting them orange, but they aren't for sale either.

[NYHump]

Can you believe that 1 of these just sold on Ebay for over $100 bucks! It was a 312

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-WETZLER-312-STEEL-CLAMP-WOOD-HANDLE-LONG-ISLAND-CITY-N-Y-NICE-OLD-TOOL-/380599230210?_trksid=p2047675.l2557&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&nma=true&si=tWKzASb5BswHpHb2F79B5jMmQaA%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc#ht_25wt_1399

I love these clamps, I got my dads when he passed and use them all the time. Now I have a nice collection of them and looking foward to using them. They are off to the sand balster to get cleaned up and ready to use.

NY Hump